View full sizeCrossPlex, the Fair Park redevelopment, is nearing completion and the project is already booking major events, turning the facility into the economic development catalysts officials had hoped for. he seal of Birmingham will greet visitors to the complex.(The Birmingham News, Hal Yeager)

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- City officials are dropping the word "metro" from the new sports com­plex at Fair Park after coun­cil members said the name was confusing and down­played the city's role in the multimillion-dollar project.

"We don't want them to come to metro Birming­ham; we want them to come to Birmingham," said Council President Roderick Royal. "Hoover didn't give a nickel, Homewood didn't give a nickel and Vestavia didn't give you a nickel, and isn't going to. Metro didn't pay; metro's got to go."

The council in a work session Tuesday afternoon agreed to shorten the "Bir­mingham Metro CrossPlex" name announced by Mayor William Bell for the $46 mil­lion public sports develop­ment. Most said the name gives the impression the fa­cility wasn't within city lim­­its, was part of a joint ven­ture and diluted the city's ownership.

Adding to confusion is news that the Lovelady Center, a shelter for women and children, plans to name its new facility at the old Carraway Hospital "MetroPlaza." The name was originally promoted as "MetroPlex."

Bell was not at Tuesday's council meeting or work session, but his chief of operations, Jarvis Patton said there would be no objection to the change.

In addition, the council agreed to a suggestion by Councilwoman Carole Smitherman to pitch a public contest to find another name for the new track and aquatics facility set to open Aug. 20.

Patton said any name is hopefully temporary as the city seeks to sell naming rights to the facility.

Councilman Jay Roberson said the new complex that features an indoor track and aquatic facilities is already gaining national attention and the city should take advantage of the marketing opportunity. In addition to "metro," he also objected to "CrossPlex" calling it a meaningless and made up word. Roberson was the lone vote against dropping "Metro" saying he still favored an entirely new name for the Fair Park development.

The council also criticized Bell for not consulting them during the naming process. Only Councilman Steven Hoyt, whose district includes Fair Park, said he had discussed the name before it was announced. Hoyt said his concern was keeping Birmingham as the focus of any name.

Council members called the issue another example of Bell's poor communication, including his absence Tuesday.

"Every major meeting we have is absent of the mayor," Hoyt said. "He's sending lieutenants to talk to the generals and that's not the way to do it."

Hoyt borrowed from a line Bell, while a council member, issued to a school board employee who arrived to speak to the council rather than higher ranking officials.

"You are a captain talking to generals," Councilman Bell said in 2008. "Generals talk to generals."

Bell's staff said little as the council took turns blasting their boss.

Councilwoman Valerie Abbott also offered colorful criticism on not receiving information directly from the mayor's office.

"No one ever told me what we were doing," Abbott said. "I'm tired of reading about things in the blankity, blank paper."